Northern Ireland radio presenter and stylist Rebecca McKinney has joined forces with #YouthEmpowered, an initiative of Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company (HBC), to urge young people across Northern Ireland to register for free life and business skills training courses online at www.youthempowered.ie.

Now in its second year, the #YouthEmpowered programme seeks to support those aged 18-30 across Northern Ireland and Ireland who are not in education, employment or training with the skills and confidence to aim high and make their goals a reality.

With young people benefiting from workshop-based training offered by YouthAction Northern Ireland in 2017, this year also sees the introduction of the new Digital Hub, offering e-learning courses to equip job seekers with the essential skills to succeed.

Best known as the voice of breakfast radio on Cool FM, Rebecca is delighted to get behind the initiative, commenting: “I’m thrilled to come on board to support the 2018 #YouthEmpowered programme. I know of many young people who struggle to find fulfilment and need to get on the right track. From my own experience, I’ve faced many challenges in finding the right career for me. Despite studying law, I decided it wasn’t for me and that my real passion was in broadcasting and fashion.

“By partnering with the #YouthEmpowered programme, I want to show all young people in Northern Ireland what is possible is you use your creative talents and believe in yourself. By doing just that, I now have a career that I love. I would call on young people looking for extra help, training and support to register for the #YouthEmpowered Digital Hub today.”

In addition to the new Digital Hub, Coca-Cola HBC is expanding the number of workshops in 2018 in partnership with YouthAction Northern Ireland, with three regional workshop events providing over 100 young people with training and mentorship throughout Northern Ireland.

In making today’s announcement, Matthieu Seguin, General Manager, Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland said: “Coca-Cola HBC believes passionately in the potential of all young people as future leaders and community change-makers. Despite the economic recovery, approximately one in ten young people across Northern Ireland[1] are currently unemployed.

“As business leaders, we have a special responsibility to ensure that the society in which we operate is sustainable and prosperous for all. Our #YouthEmpowered programme seeks to unlock the potential of young people through skills training and professional mentoring. By undergoing a journey of discovery and development, I am confident that we can empower young people in Northern Ireland to succeed.”

Clare Conlon, Lead Trainer, YouthAction Northern Ireland said: “YouthAction NI is delighted to be Coca-Cola HBC’s partner for this exciting and innovate initiative. Our skills building workshops co-delivered by our youth workers, youth mentors from Coca-Cola and business partners The Rotary Club of Belfast and JCI really appeal to young people who are not in employment, mainstream education or training. To date, 124 young people have taken part in 2 regional Youth Empowered skills building events.

“In a changing economic environment, we need to equip our young people with the confidence and skills to succeed in life, in work, or in their own business. We would encourage young people who need support and skills to get into employment, training, or to build their own business to connect with Youth Empowered.”

Young people interested in joining Rebecca on a journey of self-development and discovery in the Digital Hub can register at www.youthempowered.ie.

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